Thursday, June 27, 2013

More Britishy military stuff



After working on the previous post, on British campaign furniture I looked more closely at some of the art work shown on Christopher Clark Antiques

 I know these people were at war, but based on the furniture and the paintings, they always seem to be living the good life. vParticularly in the above painting: Soldiers lounging around in bright, clean uniforms and smoking jackets,  in comfortable chairs being served tea while surrounded by exotic plants and animals (yes, that animal on the left on its hind legs...what is it?)  Probably had or will have some brandy and cigars to round out the afternoon.   (Of course I'm conveniently ignoring all the unpleasantries, deaths, maimings and nuisances of war and the plights of the non-officers, but to do so would be less romantic). 

Here are some images, paintings and charts.




























Monday, June 3, 2013

The Very Small Library of Jozsef Tari




Jozsef Tari has been collecting miniature books since 1972, and is now the proud owner of over 4,500 literary works, including the world’s smallest book (2.9 x 3.2 mm).

A printer by trade, Tari has always been fascinated by the written word, and in 1972 he began collecting miniature books. Most of the items in his collection are in Hungarian, but he also has quite a few from the US, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Indonesia and Japan. Ironically, he only has a few books from the countries neighboring Hungary. As far as topics are concerned, Jozsef Tari is interested in everything from religion to sports, literature and even cooking, but he only collects books that are 76 mm in size, or smaller. His collection features books that are over 100 years old, but his most prized miniature is the world’s smallest book – it measures only 2.9 x 3.2 millimeters and fits into a nutshell.

Apart from the 4,500 books in his collection, Tari also has 15 kinds of miniature newspapers, including the smallest in the world, which measures only 19 x 26 mm.










All the news printed that will fit




Mr. Tari has not given into the pressure of always needed to have the latest phone.





BEATLES!














You may want to check out an earlier posting on miniature books I did as part of a review of the 2013 Antiquarian Book Fair in New York.

Collection of Americana - eccentric story



So interesting.. I just came across this photo and found that it is from a museum/attraction in Pennsylvania called  American Treasure Tour.  It's a huge collection of Americana (three acres worth) housed in an old Burlington Tire factory.  Adding to its strangeness is the fact that it's owned by one person who wishes to remain anonymous.  Visitors are not free to walk around.  Instead, they see the artifacts by taking a guided 90 minute tram tour.  The museum (if that's the right word) has collections of nickelodeon's, vintage cars, toy, dolls, amusements, music, and assorted oddities.  A news story on it's site says the organ in the picture above was once owned by Walt Disney.   The Ronald McDonald clown seems a little out of place, but is at least a little less creepy than the clown with the multi-colored afro or the fat woman figure in the polka dot dress and purple vest.